Dear Source:
Okay, I heard what Patrick Bayard said, and he is what's wrong with the thinking behind the economy here in the V.I. He made a statement that this is a free country, then why should Home Depot have to be treated differently than anyone else? I have a question for Mr. Bayard: "When you opened your store did they make you pay for increasing the local traffic or the safety issues it would bring?" I'm sure when you opened your business you put some poor St. Thomian out of business who was working out of his house. So why do people like Bayard want something given to them for free, when a business like Home Depot would help the V.I. greatly? The benefits and opportunity of working for a company that size is far greater than that of working for the Sea Chest. They have full time employment and part time; they give you the choice, 401k,medical, room for advancement (Ace Hardware cant help you here); the ability to move throughout the U.S. working for Home Depot. There's only one Virgin Islands and only one New York, and Florida, and California. The one thing we will find out is how fair Mr. Bayard was with the people of the V.I. based on their loyalty when Home Depot opens.
Jim Richerson
St. Croix
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